Waratahs coach Michael Cheika not surprised by Western Force

Johannesburg: The Western Force's run up the Super Rugby ladder might have surprised most Australian rugby fans but not Michael Cheika.

The Waratahs coach believes the perennial strugglers of the conference had all the ingredients needed to produce wins against top-quality sides the Chiefs and Reds, which has catapulted them to fifth place.

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"I don't believe that last year's form has any relevance to this year's form, I just see the players in that team and they are quality.

"They've been sold short in the past and now a few people are eating their words because those top players are delivering."

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The Waratahs were due to land in Perth late on Monday for their last of three tough matches on the road.

Playmaker Ben Volavola will meet them there after being flown in as emergency injury cover.

The Waratahs lost wingers Peter Betham and Alofa Alofa during their crucial win over the Stormers at the weekend.

Betham, a fixture on the wing for NSW this season, broke his left foot, while Alofa picked up a medial ligament strain in his right knee.

Both stayed in Johannesburg on Sunday night before flying home to Sydney.

Second rower Kane Douglas is also being monitored for a sore neck after a standout performance against the Stormers, while Matt Carraro is receiving treatment for a cut to his head and Sekope Kepu picked up an ankle niggle.

It is hoped all three will be passed fit to play against the Force on Saturday.

Cheika said he was confident No.8 Wycliff Palu would be fit after resting an ankle he hurt in Durban against the Sharks.

And fullback Israel Folau should finally rejoin the starting line up after a week as a tourist in South Africa.

Saturday's match will reunite some in the playing group with their former coach Michael Foley, who moved to Perth after the Waratahs hit a low ebb with an 11th place finish in 2012.

"I'm not sure what happened then but what [Foley] has done now is be able to solidify a group of players playing a style that he wants," Cheika said.

"That's half the battle. Maybe when he was in NSW the players didn't want that style, I don't know, but the players want to play the style he's delivering now and he's been very effective."

The sides clashed in Sydney in round one. Despite the 45-21 score line Cheika predicted the Force could easily finish with an even or better win-loss ledger.

"They're a very disciplined forward pack, with good set piece, they have a No.9 and No.10 who are guiding them around the park, and they have some good finishers," he said.

"We had a good win against them in Sydney but I said at the time they are a good team. They have individual threats and they have a strategy to keep the ball and make you work.

"If you make mistakes against them they'll make you pay. It's been seen over the last few weeks against them."

Cheika also confirmed he had been contacted by SANZAR last Friday and notified of the complaint against his name.

South African broadcaster Super Sport alleges Cheika threatened a camera operator who was filming him on the sideline during the Sharks' 32-10 victory in Durban.

Fairfax Media understands SANZAR has footage of the exchange but no audio.